Shanghai · Hangzhou · Huangshan · Xi’an · Chengdu · Lijiang · Dali · Zhangjiajie · Fenghuang · Beijing
China, Unfolded
Discover the China beyond the familiar.
China
China, Unfolded
Discover the China beyond the familiar.
This 22-day journey connects Shanghai, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Xi’an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang and Beijing. Follow the proposed route below and tell us your preferred dates, interests and pace.
When
Your preferred datesSubject to availability
Price
Request a quoteTailored to your journey
How long
22 days / 21 nightsProposed programme
This is a proposed itinerary. Dates, accommodation, transport, visits and included services will be confirmed in your personalised quote.
View journey route · Shanghai → Hangzhou → Huangshan → Xi’an → Chengdu → Lijiang → Dali → Zhangjiajie → Fenghuang → Beijing
Shanghai
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 1–3
Day 1
Arrival in China
First glimpse of contemporary China
- Arrive in Shanghai
- Private airport transfer
- Hotel check-in
- The Bund
- Huangpu River night view
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 2
Old Shanghai
Discover the stories and everyday life of old Shanghai
- Yu Garden
- Old City of Shanghai
- City God Temple area
- Former French Concession
- Historic lane neighborhoods
- Shanghai local cuisine
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Day 3
Contemporary Shanghai
Discover China's global city
- Lujiazui
- Shanghai skyline
- The Bund architecture
- Contemporary art and design
- Local dining experience
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Hangzhou
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 4–5
Day 4
From Megacity to Classical China
Shanghai → Hangzhou
- High-speed rail to Hangzhou
- West Lake
- Lakeside walk
- Longjing tea experience
- Evening by West Lake
- Stay: Hangzhou Experience: Enter China's world of classical landscapes and tea culture
Getting around: High-speed rail + private transfer
Day 5
The Art of Living
Discover how nature, tea and everyday life come together
- Lingyin Temple
- Longjing Tea Village
- Tea-making experience
- West Lake
- Traditional Hangzhou cuisine
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Huangshan
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 6–7
Day 6
Ancient Villages & Mountains
Hangzhou → Huangshan
- Travel to Huangshan
- Hongcun Ancient Village
- Huizhou architecture
- Historic village exploration
- Stay: Huangshan Experience: Ancient China through architecture and landscape
Getting around: Private transfer / high-speed rail
Day 7
Into the Mountains
One of China's most iconic mountain landscapes Stay: Huangshan
- Huangshan Scenic Area
- Strange Pines
- Granite peaks
- Sea of Clouds
- Mountain viewpoints
- Sunset experience
Xi’an
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 8–10
Day 8
From Mountains to Empire
Huangshan → Xi’an
- Morning mountain experience
- Travel to Xi'an
- Xi'an Ancient City
- Evening exploration
- Stay: Xi'an
Getting around: Private transfer + domestic flight / rail
Day 9
The Birth of Empire
Step into the world of China's first unified empire
- Terracotta Warriors
- Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum area
- Qin civilization
- Private guided experience
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 10
Silk Road & Tang China
Discover China's ancient connection with the wider world
- Xi'an Ancient City Wall
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- Tang Dynasty culture
- Local food
- Evening cultural experience
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Chengdu
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 11–14
Day 11
From Empire to Living China
Xi’an → Chengdu
- High-speed rail to Chengdu
- People's Park
- Traditional teahouse
- Local neighborhood exploration
- Stay: Chengdu Experience: Slow down and enter everyday China
Getting around: High-speed rail + private transfer
Day 12
Pandas & Tea
Discover Chengdu's relaxed rhythm
- Giant Panda Base
- People's Park
- Traditional teahouse
- Sichuan tea culture
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Day 13
Taste Chengdu
Experience Chengdu through food and performance
- Local market
- Sichuan cuisine
- Sichuan hotpot
- Sichuan Opera
- Face-changing performance
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Day 14
Beyond the Tourist Trail
Move beyond sightseeing and experience contemporary Chinese life
- Local community
- Traditional craft
- Tea culture
- Local lifestyle
- Independent neighborhood exploration
- Interaction with local people
Lijiang
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 15–16
Day 15
Into Southwest China
Chengdu → Lijiang
- Domestic flight to Lijiang
- Lijiang Old Town
- Naxi culture
- Evening exploration
- Stay: Lijiang
Getting around: Domestic flight + private transfer
Day 16
Mountains & Naxi Culture
Mountain landscapes and ethnic heritage
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Blue Moon Valley
- Naxi cultural experience
- Shuhe Ancient Town
Getting around: Private transfer
Dali
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 17–18
Day 17
Ancient Roads & Lake Country
Lijiang → Dali
- Private transfer to Dali
- Dali Ancient Town
- Cangshan Mountain
- Erhai Lake
- Stay: Dali Experience: Discover Southwest China's slower rhythm
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 18
Life Around Erhai
Community, tradition and nature in everyday life
- Erhai Lake
- Bai ethnic village
- Bai cultural experience
- Local crafts
- Regional cuisine
- Lakeside sunset
Zhangjiajie
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 19–20
Day 19
From Southwest Landscapes to the Wild
Dali → Zhangjiajie
- Morning exploration
- Domestic flight / connecting flight
- Transfer to Wulingyuan
- Stay: Zhangjiajie
Getting around: Domestic flight + private transfer
Day 20
The Wild Side of China
Enter a landscape that feels almost otherworldly
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Yuanjiajie
- Tianzi Mountain
- Dramatic sandstone peaks
- Mountain trails
Fenghuang
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Day 21
Day 21
Into Ancient Southern China
Zhangjiajie → Fenghuang
- High-speed rail / private transfer
- Fenghuang Ancient Town
- Tuojiang River
- Traditional stilt houses
- Evening lights
- Stay: Fenghuang Experience: Ancient town, river landscapes and ethnic heritage
Beijing
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Day 22
Day 22
From Ancient China to Imperial China
Fenghuang → Beijing
- Morning Fenghuang exploration
- Travel to Beijing
- Hotel check-in
- Hutong exploration
- Final evening
- Stay: Beijing
Getting around: High-speed rail / domestic flight + private transfer
Good to know
Your stay
The proposed programme is 22 days and 21 nights. Hotels, room categories and the final night-by-night arrangements are to be confirmed.
Your programme
The activities listed above follow the proposed itinerary. Exact timing, hosts, visits, performance schedules and transport arrangements are subject to confirmation.
Your quote
Ask us to confirm the price, accommodation, guiding, admissions, meals and transport included in your quote. International flights, visas and insurance should be discussed during planning.
Planning your departure
Please tell us your onward plans, particularly where the final day includes an evening or farewell programme. We can discuss departure timing or an additional night if needed.
Photography combines the WanderBao image collection with clearly labelled AI test illustrations. Some photographs provide regional or thematic context rather than depicting a confirmed visit.
Let us shape your journey
Tell us your dates, number of travellers and the experiences that interest you.
Start planninginfo@wanderbao.com